Malaria is one of the most widespread and devastating infectious
diseases in the world. More than half the world population residing in
over 100 countries is at risk of infection from this vector-borne
disease. An estimated 250-500 million mal- ial cases occur each year,
resulting in nearly one million deaths, the overwhelming majority of
which are children. Because of the magnitude of the associated fata-
ties, development experts consider malaria a 'silent tsunami, '
comparing its death toll to the Indian Ocean tsunami (IOT) that ravaged
several countries of South and Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004. That
tsunami killed some 300,000 people (including children) at once.
Globally, malarial deaths account for about 9% of all childhood deaths
each year. However, with malaria more than most fatal d- eases,
mortality is a small fraction of morbidity. Malaria is a debilitating
disease, particularly for the adult population. In addition to children,
pregnant women and migrating populations are most v- nerable to malaria.
Miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight are common among pregnant
women who are infected with this disease. Malaria manifests itself
through recurrent fever and chills, with associated symptoms such as
anemia and an enlarged spleen. If a person survives the disease, he or
she will develop a certain degree of immunity for some years. But
malaria victims are not only deprived of energy, they also face an
increased risk of other diseases taking hold in the weakened body.
